[sims] Templates: Magical way to turn Data Review columns into Data Entry columns en masse?

[JoeS]

In SIMS I have a number of templates (not created by me) with 300+ columns.

 

Most of the columns are Data Review, so the "Read Only" tick box is greyed out.

 

It would be so useful to be able to quickly change all these columns to allow them to be Data entry (untick the read only box).

 

Is there any speedy way of doing this without re creating hundreds of new columns which are Data Entry?

 

Many thanks,

[Pink_Panda]

As far as I'm aware (happy to be proven wrong) you can't change it, the columns need to be added again but for data entry

 

if it was the other way round, from data entry to data review, you would be able to tick the read only box in the marksheet template

[JoeS]

Didn't think so... thanks anyway!

[NeilF]

You could have a look at exporting the template, amending the xml and re-importing the changed template. All the tags that determine whether it is entry/review are there. Try a test on a simple template with a couple of aspects, one Entry and one Review to see how it works.

[JoeS]

You could have a look at exporting the template, amending the xml and re-importing the changed template. All the tags that determine whether it is entry/review are there. Try a test on a simple template with a couple of aspects, one Entry and one Review to see how it works.

Sorry for the slow reply, but WOW! I've just tried this on a small test template - all I had to do was change DR to DE in the XML and it worked!

 

Is there any danger in doing this? As its going to save me a huge amount of time!

 

When I import the modified template it also imports the aspects and gradesets used in the template, which of course already exist - this wont cause any problems will it?

 

Thanks.

[NeilF]

If all you need to do is change review to entry and there are no functions involved and the columns are not duplicated for entry with the same result set, then what could possibly go wrong?

[JoeS]

Many thanks for the quick reply.

 

1.when you say functions - do you mean formulas? There are some formulas in my bigger template.

2. Also, what do you mean by "columns duplicated for entry with the same result set"? Not the same aspects with the same results set? That isn't possible is it?

 

EDIT, Sorry I've just understood my second question, you mean I must be careful not to duplicate aspects with the same result set!

Edited March 4, 2020 by JoeS

[NeilF]

Yes, formulas - so many Excel!

 

You would just need to be aware of unintended consequences of allowing new changes in something that may have been calculated elsewhere that is then used to calculate something else incorrectly.

[JoeS]

Ah, OK I understand. So you mean if a formula was data review, there is no way it could be messed around with. But if it was changed to data entry then it is possible that read only could be unticked and then the value changed. I will keep all this in mind and give it go. Many thanks again.